Notes on the Notes – November 20, 2016

This week’s theme:

Reign of Christ Sunday

Would you follow this King?

This week’s scripture readings:

Jeremiah 23:5-6                     Luke 1:68-79

This week’s music:

“This is the Day” (MV #122)

“This is the day that God has made;
We will rejoice and be glad!
This is the day that God has made;
We will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!

Voici le jour que Dieu a fait;
Nous le vivrons dans la joie.
Chantant Allelu! Nous le vivrons dans la joie!”

This hymn by Bruce Harding (2003) is inspired by the words of Psalm 118:24.   Harding wrote both the text and music, which was translated to French by David Fines in 2005.  To hear the song go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88a-8OXGYk4

“Forever”

“Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that’s been reborn
His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever, God is faithful
Forever, God is strong
Forever, God is with us
Forever, forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
And by the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise…”

Read about the song at:  http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-forever-by-chris-tomlin-1243556.html

Hear Chris Tomlin sing this song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_dsZpcA2R8

“Majesty”

“Majesty, worship His majesty.
Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority flows from His throne unto His own;
His anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.

Majesty, worship His majesty.
Jesus who died, now glorified,
King of all kings.”

This praise song by Jack W. Hayford is based on Psalm 93:1.   Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaRwD2Y7C0s

“Lift High the Name of Jesus”

“Lift high the name of Jesus, of Jesus, our King.
Make known the power of His grace, the beauty of His peace.
Remember how How mercy reached as we cried out to Him
He lifted us to solid ground, to freedom from our sin.

O sing, my soul, and tell all He’s done,
Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory.

Lift high the name of Jesus, of Jesus, our Lord.
His power in us is greater than, is greater than this world;
To share the reason for our hope; to serve with love and grace;
That all who see Him shine through us might bring the Father praise.

O sing, my soul, and tell all He’s done,
Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory.

Lift high the name of Jesus, of Jesus, our Light.
No other name on earth can save, can raise our soul to life.
He opens up our eyes to see the harvest He has grown.
We labor in His fields of grace as He leads sinners home.

O sing, my soul, and tell all He’s done,
Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory.
Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory!
Lift high His name!”

This week’s anthem has words and music by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Fionan de Barra and Ed Cash. It has been arranged by Mary McDonald (2013).

A thought from Kristyn
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Is the hope I profess with my lips written in my life? And then when I am asked about it, do I have something to say? When I’m sitting at the hair salon, when I’m paying for my groceries, when I talk about things around the dinner table, when I am in a meeting at work, when I’m playing sport, when I’m planning my daily schedule… Can people see the Lordship of Christ in my heart?

This verse in 1 Peter presupposes that my life reveals my hope to be in Christ in such a way that people notice and so ask questions. It seems that while there are Bible verses that exhort us to plainly share our faith, we are told even more that a greater part of the ‘telling’ is the significance of the witness of a Christian life sincerely and purposefully lived, of a life that makes the gospel beautiful and attractive to people around them. Then as we do this, we remember all the while that He is the Lord of the harvest; He makes things grow; He saves so that we’re neither discouraged nor arrogant but know the privilege of being part of the work of His kingdom.

These were some of the key thoughts behind the writing of this song – lives sharing the new life they have been given with those around them. I remember going as a young girl to a friend’s house and seeing this little phrase on their kitchen notice board: “blossom where you’re planted.” I always thought that was a helpful way of thinking about the Christian life and evangelism – making the most of the path beneath your feet, serving best the people immediately around you, seeing the light of eternity in the ordinary of your life. A life that lifts high the name of Jesus will always bear the best and most enduring fruit.”

See Kristyn Getty sing the song at: https://youtu.be/M8ZULrY9HlI

“You are Holy” – Michael W. Smith, well-known contemporary Christian artist, gives us this song of praise featuring the many names of Jesus. It was first released in 2002.

“You are holy, You are mighty, You are worthy of praise.  I will follow, I will listen, I will love you all of my days.
I will sing to And worship The King who is worthy
I will love and adore Him And I will bow down before Him

You are Lord of Lords.  You are King of Kings.  You are mighty God – Lord of everything.
You’re Emmanuel.  You’re the great “I AM.”  You’re the Prince of Peace who is the Lamb.
You’re the living God.  You’re my saving grace. You will reign forever.  You are Ancient of days.
You are Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End.  You’re my Saviour, Messiah, Redeemer and friend.
You’re my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for You.”

Watch Michael W. Smith performing the song at:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt9hWMufODY

 “As it is in Heaven”

Our Father, who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name
Come and let Your glory,  come and let Your glory fall.

Our Father, who art in Heaven – the rocks cry out Your fame
Come and let Your glory, come and let Your glory fall.

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song to the Lord

Let your kingdom come
Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Every heart proclaim the mercy of Your name on earth as it is in heaven.

God give us new every morning mercy as daily bread
In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus we pray

And lead us, not to temptation, nut deliver us with Your hand
In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus we pray, Father we pray

I will sing, sing a new song…

Let your kingdom come…

For the kingdom is yours and the power is yours
And the glory forever,  Amen”

This contemporary version of the Lord’s Prayer was written by songwriters, Ed Cash and Matt Maher.  Maher was born and raised in Newfoundland. His parents recognized his musical talent, and he grew up taking piano lessons and immersing himself in a broad variety of music and playing in concert and jazz ensembles, singing in a choir, and playing in a garage rock band.

Hear Matt Maher sing the song at:  https://youtu.be/BGAZVASoUv4

“Everything I Am”

“Everything I am,
Everything I have,
Everything I can, I bring to You.
For You alone are worthy so I come to give You praise,
And everything I am I bring to You.”

This week’s offering response was written by Scott Dyer and Joe Horness in 1996.  It is based on the words of Philippians 3:8.  The message of that reading is that everything in life that we think is important, isn’t.  It is our relationship to Jesus that matters most.

“There is no one like my Jesus”

“O there is no one like my Jesus….

Forever and ever it will be! Sing halleluia!

I’ve walked around and there’s none like Him.

I’ve searched around and there’s none like Him….”

This is a traditional East African Song that was arranged by Joseph M. Martin in 2015.  See an organic version of this song in Swahili in an office in Tanzania at:  https://youtu.be/ohL6SO0OIP4

“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

“I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

Tho’ no-one join me, still I will follow, no turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back.”

“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is a hymn originating from India.  The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of a Welsh missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” In response to threats to his family, he continued, “Though no one joins me, still I will follow.” His wife was killed, and he was executed while singing, “The cross before me, the world behind me.” This display of faith is reported to have led to the conversion of the chief and others in the village.  The formation of these words into a hymn is attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh.  The melody is also Indian, and entitled “Assam” after the region where the text originated.   An American hymn editor, William Jensen Reynolds, composed an arrangement which was included in the 1959 Assembly Songbook. His version became a regular feature of Billy Graham’s evangelistic meetings in America and elsewhere, spreading its popularity.

Due to the lyrics’ explicit focus on the believer’s own commitment, the hymn is cited as a prime example of decision theology, emphasizing the human response rather than the action of God in giving faith.

“Lead Me Lord”      

“Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me,
I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.”

This simple song of commitment was written by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine in 1994.   As we go out into the world we are reminder that we are followers of Jesus.

Hear the story behind the song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOd6t4pBEpY